When it happened isn't precisely remembered. Avisail Garcia tends to think of his big league initiation as a series of moments and conversations.

It could have been that evening of Aug. 31, 2012, on the infield grass at Comerica Park during batting practice. Tigers manager Jim Leyland approached the wide-eyed 21-year-old rookie and said: "I don't care if you strike out four times in a game. I want you to relax and have fun."

That low blood pressure the multi-skilled outfielder and prized Tigers prospect seems always to exhibit, whether with a bat in his hand or when a line drive is boring toward him in right field, might also be a product of Miguel Cabrera's counsel. During his 2012 debut, as now, Cabrera is Garcia's mentor, confidant, and amigo.

"He's a good friend, always talking with me about baseball — how you prepare for the game," Garcia explained, recalling his earliest conversation with Cabrera after Garcia had joined the team last summer. "He told me: 'Don't worry about the breaking ball. Concentrate on the fastball. Then you can adjust to the other pitches.' When you're ready for the fastball, you can see the curveball better. That's why when I was there (from August through the postseason), I try not to do too much.

"I don't want to try and hit the ball 500 feet. I want to put the ball in play. And now I'm more relaxed. I know a little bit how they play in the majors. I know the pitchers better. The stadiums better."